Summary

Back at the Swan, the patrons replayed the events of the fair with questions and stories in “Philosophy at the Swan.” Daunt listened as they discussed Ruby’s potential involvement in Amelia’s kidnapping. Jonathan attempted to tell Daunt a story but failed. One patron explained his belief that the girl was not Alice: a body could not naturally travel upstream from Bampton to Radcot. Yet, they wondered whether logic could be applied to any part of this story. In “The Shortest Night,” Rita tended to Helena at Buscot Lodge. Rita disclosed that Helena was pregnant when she was lucid. Vaughan contemplated for hours. After Rita left, she wept for the loss of the child. Upon reaching the Swan, Daunt called her into his boat. They discussed the curiosity of Mrs. Eavis’s part in the scene at the fair...